The Historical Roots of Climate Change: Understanding the Past to Shape the Future
Many people argue that we are products of our past. However, as the Chinese philosopher Confucius suggested, because the contemporary events taking place around us have histories, we can examine them to understand how and why the events came to be. By developing the skills needed to investigate those histories, we can uncover the historical roots of current events and learn from them. Researching, examining narratives, uncovering personal biases, and finding credible resources are some of those skills. We might not want to be historians in the future, but we should all understand how to look at things from a historical standpoint to better understand contemporary issues.
For this project, you will choose a historical event to explore from the Library Research Guide. These events fit into the topic areas of:
.Inequality and human rights
.Political revolutions
.Climate change
.Globalization
Directions
Read these directions and the rubric criteria and reach out to your instructor if you have any questions before you begin working on this project. Many of the steps below will require you to reference and utilize the work you have done in previous modules of this course. You may use the provided template to complete this project or choose not to use the template and submit a Word document instead.
Part 1: Creating a Research Question: The quality of research often depends on the quality of the question driving it. It is important to understand how personal opinions, perspectives, and historical sources all play a part in developing and examining a research question. Complete the following steps to discuss how you developed a strong research question about your chosen historical event.
1.Describe how your assumptions, beliefs, and values influenced your choice of topic.
a)How might your own perspectives and opinions impact the topic you chose and how you may approach studying it?
2.Discuss the significance of your historical research question in relation to your current event.
a)State your historical research question and explain the connection between your current event and your question.
3.Explain how you used sources to finalize your research question.
a)Identify the specific primary and secondary sources you used.
b)Discuss how evidence in these primary and secondary sources strengthened or challenged the focus of your question.
Part 2: Building Context to Address Questions: In this part of the project, you will examine the historical context related to your historical event. The context will be like snapshots that capture what was happening in history that affected the development of your current event.
1.Describe the context of your historical event that influenced your current event.
a)How does the context of your historical event help tell the story of what was happening at the time? How might this historical event connect or lead to your current event?
2,Describe a historical figure or group’s participation in your historical event.
a)This person or people must have directly participated in the event you identified as it was happening, not after it.
b)Use specific details from your primary and secondary sources to demonstrate how the person or people participated in the event.
3.Explain the historical figure or group’s motivation to participate in your historical event.
a)Consider why the person or people were motivated to get involved in the event.
Part 3: Examining How Bias Impacts Narrative: Narrative is how people tell stories based on their own assumptions, beliefs, and values. From a historical perspective, narratives influence who we focus on, what we focus on, and how we discuss events and issues in the past and present. Complete the following steps to explore how the stories about your current event and the historical events leading to it have been told.
1.Describe a narrative you identified while researching the history of your historical event.
a)There can be multiple narratives depending on your sources. Pick one or two that you feel have been the most influential.
2.Articulate how biased perspectives presented in primary and secondary sources influence what is known or unknown about history.
a)How do potentially biased sources influence knowledge of your historical event and current event?
b)Support your stance with examples from your primary and secondary sources.
3.Identify the perspectives that you think are missing from your historical event’s narrative.
a)Whose stories were not recorded? Whose voices were ignored or silenced?
Part 4: Connecting the Past With the Present: Consider how the work you have done to develop your research question and investigate it can be used to explain connections between the past and present. Complete the following steps to discuss the value of developing historical inquiry skills.
1.Explain how researching its historical roots helped improve your understanding of your current event.
a)How did examining your current event from a historical perspective help you better comprehend its origins?
2.Articulate how questioning your assumptions, beliefs, and values may benefit you as an individual.
a)Why is it valuable to be aware of your assumptions, beliefs, and values when encountering information in your personal, academic, and professional life?
3.Discuss how being a more historically informed citizen may help you understand contemporary issues.
a)Consider how having knowledge of history could influence how you approach current challenges or questions in the world.
What to Submit
To complete this project, submit the completed template or submit a Word document with 12-point Times New Roman font, double spacing, and one-inch margins. Sources should be cited according to APA style.
The Historical Roots of Climate Change: Understanding the Past to Shape the Future
Part 1: Creating a Research Question
My choice of topic, climate change, was influenced by my assumptions, beliefs, and values regarding the urgency of addressing environmental issues and the impact of human activities on the planet. As someone who is concerned about the future of our planet, I wanted to explore the historical roots of climate change to gain a deeper understanding of how it has developed over time.
The historical research question I have chosen is: "How have human activities contributed to climate change, and what can we learn from the past to mitigate its effects?" This question is significant in relation to the current event of ongoing global efforts to combat climate change. By understanding the historical factors that have led to the current state of climate change, we can identify patterns and lessons that can inform our actions and policies in addressing this pressing issue.
In finalizing my research question, I used a combination of primary and secondary sources. Some primary sources I consulted include historical documents and scientific studies that provide direct evidence of human activities and their impact on the climate. Secondary sources, such as scholarly articles and books, helped me gain a broader understanding of the historical context and scientific research related to climate change. The evidence from these sources strengthened the focus of my question by providing concrete examples and data on the relationship between human activities and climate change.
Part 2: Building Context to Address Questions
The context of my historical event, climate change, includes various factors that have influenced its development. These include industrialization, deforestation, the burning of fossil fuels, and the increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Understanding this context helps tell the story of what was happening at the time by highlighting the significant changes in human behavior and technological advancements that have contributed to climate change. This historical event connects to the current event of ongoing efforts to address climate change as it provides a foundation for understanding the causes and consequences of this global issue.
One historical figure who directly participated in the event of climate change is James Hansen, a prominent climatologist who raised awareness about the impact of human activities on global warming. Hansen's research and advocacy played a crucial role in shaping public perception and policy discussions surrounding climate change. By analyzing his scientific studies and public statements, it becomes evident that he actively contributed to the understanding of climate change during its early stages.
James Hansen's motivation to participate in the event of climate change stemmed from his concern for the environment and his desire to communicate scientific findings to policymakers and the public. He saw the potential catastrophic consequences of unchecked climate change and felt a moral obligation to act as a scientist and advocate for sustainable practices and policies. Hansen's motivation demonstrates the importance of scientific knowledge and individual responsibility in addressing global challenges like climate change.
Part 3: Examining How Bias Impacts Narrative
One narrative I identified while researching the history of climate change is the "debate narrative." This narrative suggests that there is still significant scientific disagreement regarding the causes and extent of climate change. It often presents a false balance by giving equal weight to both mainstream scientific consensus and minority viewpoints that deny or downplay human-induced climate change. This narrative has been influential in creating confusion and skepticism among the public regarding the urgency of addressing climate change.
Biased perspectives presented in primary and secondary sources can influence what is known or unknown about history by distorting or omitting certain information. For example, sources funded by industries with a stake in maintaining the status quo may downplay or deny human-induced climate change. These biased sources can create doubt and hinder public understanding of the scientific consensus on climate change. By selectively presenting information that supports their agenda, biased sources can manipulate public perception and delay necessary actions to mitigate climate change.
One perspective missing from the narrative of climate change is that of marginalized communities disproportionately affected by its consequences. Indigenous communities, people living in poverty, and developing nations are often overlooked in discussions about climate change. Their stories, experiences, and knowledge about environmental sustainability are crucial for understanding the multifaceted impacts of climate change. By neglecting these perspectives, we risk perpetuating inequalities and failing to address the needs of those most vulnerable to its effects.
Part 4: Connecting the Past With the Present
Researching the historical roots of climate change has significantly improved my understanding of the current event by providing a broader context for its occurrence. By examining historical patterns, I have gained insights into how human activities have shaped our current climate crisis. Understanding this historical context has allowed me to appreciate the urgency of addressing climate change and recognize the collective responsibility we have in mitigating its effects.
Questioning my assumptions, beliefs, and values has benefited me as an individual by fostering critical thinking skills and open-mindedness. By challenging preconceived notions, I am better equipped to evaluate information objectively and make informed decisions based on evidence rather than personal biases. This skill is valuable not only in understanding historical events but also in navigating information in personal, academic, and professional life.
Being a more historically informed citizen helps me understand contemporary issues by providing a broader perspective on their origins and development. By studying history, I can identify patterns, learn from past mistakes, and recognize the interconnectedness of events over time. This historical lens allows me to approach current challenges with a deeper understanding of their underlying causes and potential solutions. Additionally, being informed about history helps me engage in informed discussions, contribute to policy debates, and advocate for positive change in society.
In conclusion, exploring the historical roots of climate change provides valuable insights into its development and offers lessons for shaping a sustainable future. By understanding how our actions have contributed to this global issue, we can take responsibility for mitigating its effects and work towards a more environmentally conscious society. Developing historical inquiry skills allows us to critically examine narratives, challenge biases, and connect past events with contemporary issues. As Confucius suggested, studying the past is essential for defining our future.